Whoa, just read that the NY Mets already have 9 pitchers on the IL and it’s only early April. Apparently, they have the oldest starting rotation in baseball combined with a bullpen with a history of injuries. Sounds like the perfect storm at the moment. As we know, injuries usually crop up as the season unfolds but it looks like the Mets beat the rush for this year. This will be something to watch as they try and navigate the early months of the season.
The Yankees are off to a decent start at 3 – 2, although for SU, the all-right handed lineup is still an issue. Last night, they had IKF in center field and Aaron Hicks getting another start in left field. Hicks was the only left-handed bat in the lineup as Rizzo was sitting. The Phillies started a left-handed pitcher but he was basically untouchable. Hicks was lustily booed with each out and you have to feel badly for the guy. It’s almost like the fans are rooting for him to fail now. No doubt, he is anxiously awaiting some road games.
SU is struggling with my Yankees’ rooting interest. Actually turned off the game last night after 7 innings as you knew they would not come back. I am not sure what the issue is at this point. I like the faster pace of play as in I love the faster pace of play. What an improvement! The ball/strike calls are pretty bad but players seem to not be arguing too much so far. SU may have to ease into the season and find a favorite player on the team to root for. Volpe is the easy one but I usually prefer a fringe player.
Props to Caitlin Clark who took the high road yesterday and had only nice things to say about LSU’s Angel Reese. Smart move. They will both be on the US Olympic team together soon enough and Clark is also a trash talker. She gets it and this should be the end of it now.
The NBA playoffs will soon be upon us. Are the Knicks better without Randle? The ball seems to move a lot more. He can get hot and dominate a game but the team’s level of play has not dropped off with his absence. They are a good watch this year. The NBA Western Conference is crazy close for the play-in games. It’s great to see teams have to try right down to the end of the regular season vs. tanking (there are still plenty of those).
Thoughts on the new baseball rules?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I like the total time of the game but it sometimes feels rushed. I know
this isn’t going to happen but it would be nice if they developed new habits and then could get rid of the clock so that we could get 90% of the time savings with a more natural feel to it.
I do find it annoying that the pitch clock is showing instead of the pitch count in the upper left corner. I don’t care about the pitch clock – someone else will monitor that. More interested in when the starter might have to come out of the game.
I’m all for a faster paced game but these rules do need to be tweaked. Keep the batter in the box, stop adjusting your gloves and kicking out the mud in your cleats in between each pitch. All great. But we are eliminating all the foreplay, which leads to a build up of drama. And that is what makes baseball special.
I want to see Clemens staring down Piazza at the plate. I want to see Pettite freeze a base runner on first with a one run lead late in the game. I want the infield to meet with runners on first and third. (Maybe one day that steal play we practiced in High School every day will work)
There are so many great subtleties in baseball strategy that we are eliminating.
Do we change the rules for the 9th inning?
Do we change the rules for the Playoffs?
We have gone from one extreme to the other. A brisk pace of play is an admirable goal but a rushed game should not be the result.
Find a happy medium that maintains the integrity of the game.
LFGM!
Jeff
Just read that Aroldis Chapman was up to 104 mph the other night. Guess he is feeling limber after leaving the Yankees.